- #1869 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [ncjim]
by akt1000
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Sep 27, 2008 (3:08 pm)
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Replying to: ncjim (Sep 27, 2008 12:07 pm)
I don't have any personal experience with 2009 Honda Accord V-6, but I just want to make a point, which seems to have been missed in the mails I have seen in this forum.
The cylinders in the Honda V-6 are normally fired at equal intervals (0, 120, 240, 360, 480, 600 , 720 deg and so on). Running the VCM in 3-cylinder mode allows these cylinders to be fired at equal intervals (0, 240, 480, 720 deg and so on). Running the VCM in 4-cylinder mode does not allow these 4 cylinders to be fired at equal intervals (these may be fired at 0, 120, 360, 480, 720 deg and so on), Thus, the engine will potentially run rougher in the 4-cylinder mode than either the 3 or the 6 cylinder mode).
A Buick engine ran into a (similar) roughness problem when they converted a V-8 engine into a V-6 engine around 1980 without an engine redesign, with the cylinders firing at unequal intervals (0, 90, 180, 360. 450, 540, 720 deg and so on). After couple of years of roughness complaints, they finally went to a crank offset system to allow the engine firing to occur at a constant 120 deg interval.
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- #1870 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [elliott2]
by jhinsc
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Sep 27, 2008 (9:17 pm)
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Replying to: elliott2 (Sep 27, 2008 11:50 am)
On the flip side and to provide balance to this discussion, I am really puzzled by this vibration problem you're referring to. I have an 08 V6 and either my ECO light goes on and off but the VCM is not working and it's staying in 6 cyl mode all the time, OR it's actually working as it should and I don't have the vibration "problem". As I have stated before, I can tell when I'm in 3 or 4 cyl mode, but the engine is not vibrating or shaking, or shuddering or acting in any way suspicious that anything is wrong. There are times when the only change I notice is if I have to accelerate around another car, the ECO light goes off and I feel a surge of power as all 6 cyl's kick in. I really think Honda has taken the idea of variable engine displacement to the next level. I love the fact I have a 3 cyl, a 4 cyl, and a 6 cyl engine reside under the hood. My Chev. Avalanche has the 5.3L V8/4, but it only runs in 4 cyl mode when slowing down, going downhill, or on a very flat road. The slightest pressure on the gas pedal and it kicks back to 8 cyl. With my V6, I am able to accelerate modestly without kicking it out of ECO mode. I love that! And the statements of road noise, yes I can agree with you on that. But my previous 06 EXL V6 also had some road noise so it's not uncharacteristic for the new model to be any different.
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- #1871 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [jhinsc]
by elliott2
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Sep 28, 2008 (3:30 am)
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Replying to: jhinsc (Sep 27, 2008 9:17 pm)
jhinsc - that's great that your 08 accord does not have the vibration. Consider yourself lucky. The dealership that I purchased my 08 from had the saleman and I take three other 08s for test drives after I complained of the problem. They all very noticeably had the same problem and were asknowledged by the saleman and reluctantly later by the Honda factory rep. I notice that your other vehicle is a truck. To bring balance to the discussion, I might suggest the reason you aren't noticing the vibration is that you're switching from driving a truck to a car. Under such circumstances, you're not likely to notice the vibration as you go from a truck suspension and handling to a car with softer suspension and very different handling.
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- #1872 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [elliott2]
by jhinsc
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Sep 28, 2008 (5:48 am)
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Replying to: elliott2 (Sep 28, 2008 3:30 am)
elliot2, I actually drive the Accord more due to my job, so your premise of switching between car and truck makes me immune to feeling vibrations is not valid. I'm curious - what does he vibration actually feel like? If you can put it into words.... Does it shake the car, steering wheel, pedals, seats...? For example, if a tire is out of round or out of balance, you know something is wrong. If a rotor is warped, you can tell when you apply the brakes. Both situations can be fixed. The reason I ask: I suspect my car runs the same as yours, but I don't see or feel it as vibration. I see it as running in 3 and 4 cyl mode and it's a characteristic of the engine. It's not a vibration, it's the engine running in a different mode. It's not annoying, intrusive or unpleasant. While driving, I'm always trying to coax the VCM to engage as quickly as possible after getting up to speed. Another example: anyone who drives a 4 cyl and V6 (non VCM) of the same make/model will tell you the V6 almost always runs smoother and quieter in almost all situations, especially at idle and low speeds. But it doesn't mean there is something wrong with the 4 cyl because it's not as smooth or quiet.
I think Honda is on the right path with VCM. Once they combine it's use with 6 or 7 speed auto transmissions, I believe they'll be able to extract more mpg gains from larger displacement engines. Honda is well known for their technological advancements for engine and auto design and function. VCM is a concept and technology that although they didn't invent, they have perfected it much further than any other auto company could to date.
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- #1873 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [jhinsc]
by keitha3
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Sep 28, 2008 (7:29 am)
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Replying to: jhinsc (Sep 28, 2008 5:48 am)
My experience with the VCM is the same as yours. If not for the ECO light and the power surge when going into six-cyl mode, I wouldn't even know it existed. I feel nothing.
That said, I do believe what other posters are saying. That's originally why I took the Accord off of my consideration list and why I insisted on a LONG test drive with a lot of freeway driving prior to purchase.
I do believe that you and I and many others are lucky. I also believe that it's time for Honda to step up to the plate and address the issue for those not so lucky.
If I did have this issue, I'm the type with the psychological profile that would shift my focus to the problem area and become increasing annoyed every time I drove. It would ruin my driving experience.
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- #1874 of 2193
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Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [jhinsc]
by elliott2
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Sep 28, 2008 (3:46 pm)
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Replying to: jhinsc (Sep 28, 2008 5:48 am)
It's not a vibration. It's not a vibration. It's not a vibration. ........ I don't see or feel it as vibration. I see it as running in 3 and 4 cyl mode and it's a characteristic of the engine. It's not a vibration, it's the engine running in a different mode. It's not annoying, intrusive or unpleasant.
So what Honda location do you work?
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- #1875 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [elliott2]
by jhinsc
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Sep 28, 2008 (6:09 pm)
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Replying to: elliott2 (Sep 28, 2008 3:46 pm)
I don't work for Honda or a car dealer or anything auto related. Just trying to understand what you mean when you say vibration. If you can't describe it, just say so.
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- #1876 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [elliott2]
by maltbie
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Sep 29, 2008 (9:48 am)
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Replying to: elliott2 (Sep 27, 2008 11:50 am)
If you are in the market now for an Accord V6 and are scared by the VMC problems, as I was, consider the 08 Acura TL. There is a fire sale on the TLs as they are being replaced with the new 09 model. I leased an 08 TL in August for $40 per month less than the monthly payment on my 06 Accord EX-L-V6. The 06 Accord is a fantastic car and the TL is even better. The TL has better handling, acceleration, and sound system with gas mileage similar to the Accord's. And best of all, it does not have VCM.
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- #1877 of 2193
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Re: Honda Acoord 2008 vibration is noraml according to Honda Motor Company [elliott2]
by tval
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Sep 30, 2008 (10:48 am)
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Replying to: elliott2 (Sep 28, 2008 3:46 pm)
I would not actually characterize it as a vibration but more as a surging feeling. I notice it greatly at freeway cruising speeds (60 to 75 mph). The car seems to fight between cylinder selection, even if you have cruise control on. The surge feeling can actually make you feel a bit queazy or nauseated after a while. I am very dissapointed in this car and in myself for not researching this car more prior to buying. It is obvious that this is a significant problem as you can read about it everywhere on the internet (e.g. Honda forums, Edmunds Customer Reviews, etc.). Has anyone hear of any fixes or ways to improve?
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- #1878 of 2193
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Re: Honda Accord 2008 vibration is according to Honda Motor Company [tval]
by anthonyy
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Sep 30, 2008 (2:35 pm)
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Replying to: tval (Sep 30, 2008 10:48 am)
So far no reply from Honda Motor Company or their dealer Service Center. Their official respondse is: "This is the normal performance of the Honda Accord V6."
I am so disappointed with this 2008 Honda Accord V6. We took it for granted ,we assumed Honda Motor Car Company was a good car manufacturer , they would never stick you with a lemon. As I mentioned in my earlier message, my family drove Honda Cars for over twenty five years + , we never had a problem with Honda. Never had a vibration problem. This is our first bad experience.
I just hope people saw your comments and mine before they purchase a 2008 Honda Accord V6. They'd better take the car for a driving test on the highway and not just in city traffic.
So far no newspaper will accept our letter about Honda Accord V6 problem, They just do not want to offend Honda Motor and their dealers.
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